Senior doctors and dentists at Health NZ public hospitals and health services plan to strike for 48 hours on Tuesday 23 September and Wednesday 24 September.
Emergency departments will be open for emergencies only.
GPs, after-hours and urgent care clinics, and other community health providers are not affected by the strikes and will continue to operate as normal.
The staff and services in hospital are there to help you and your whānau during your stay. The more you know about what to expect, the more you can relax and focus on your health and recovery.
Most patients in hospital share a room. People who are very sick usually have a single room. When they improve, they may be moved to a shared room.
Usually, there are separate 4-bed rooms for men and for women.
Tamariki (children) up to 15 years are admitted to a children's ward if the hospital has one. Parents, caregivers or whānau are encouraged to stay with their child — care from a familiar whānau member helps with their recovery. Fold-down beds or chairs are usually available for a parent or caregiver to sleep beside their child's bed.
When you are admitted to hospital, you will get an identity (ID) bracelet for your wrist. It has important information on it and staff will check it to make sure they are treating the right person.
This bracelet must stay on while you are in hospital.
Hospital staff will introduce themselves when they meet you. If you are not sure who they are, ask. The staff looking after you work as a healthcare team.
The nurse or doctor will describe what tests, treatments or procedures you will be having and ask for your consent (agreement) before they are carried out. If you are unclear about anything, ask them to explain again.
If English is not your first language or you have hearing loss, ask for an interpreter. Some immediate needs, wants or concerns may be covered by communication cards.external link
Patient communication cards (12 languages) — Health NZexternal link
If you have brought documents that outline your wishes and how you want us to care for you, let us know, for example:
Everyone using a health or disability service has the protection of a Code of Rights. | Kei ngā tāngata katoa te haumarutanga o te Tikanga Mōtika me ka mahi te ratonga hauora, hauātanga rānei.
Your care may be provided at different times by different doctors, such as a resident medical officer (house surgeon or registrar).
At times, your care may also involve a consultant or specialist medical officer — a senior doctor or surgeon who has specialised.
During your stay, you will be cared for by registered nurses (tapuhi whai rēhitatanga) and healthcare assistants (tiaki hauora kaiāwhina). Healthcare assistants’ work is supervised by the registered nurses.
Nurses work shifts so you will probably be cared for by different nurses during your hospital stay. Sometimes you will have the same nurse care for you while they are working. However, they may be assigned to care for other patients.
Hospitals may provide education and training for student doctors, nurses and other health professionals. Nursing students working alongside a registered nurse may care for you during your stay.
Students will always identify themselves and ask your permission before discussing your care or examining you.
Students are supervised by qualified staff at all times. If you do not want them to help with your care, just say so.
All hospital staff wear a photo identification (ID) badge. You can ask for ID from any person who you do not already know. If they cannot provide ID, tell a staff member immediately.
Ward rounds are when the senior doctor looking after you visits you in your ward or room. It is your chance to discuss your medical care.
As well as the senior doctor there may be other junior doctors, a nursing coordinator, your nurse and other support service staff, if required. They will:
This is a good time for you to ask questions. It helps if you can write them down in advance — it is easy to forget something. Having a close whānau member or support person with you is a good idea, in case you miss something that is said.
Your meals are provided. A standard meal will be sent to you until you are able to choose. Then you will be given meal choices for later that day or the next day. Fill in the menu to record your choices.
If you need help at meal times, ask the ward staff.
Special meals can be provided — ask your nurse about them, for example meals for:
Times for breakfast, lunch and dinner will depend on which ward you are on.
You are encouraged to get up and dressed during your stay in hospital, unless this is advised against.
Getting out of bed, dressed in your own clothes and walking helps you feel stronger, recover more quickly and be less likely to fall. It helps you maintain fitness and can sometimes shorten the time spent in hospital.
Friends and whānau can help loved ones feel better, more independent and mobile by bringing in a change of clothes and encouraging them to get up, get dressed and, with support, get back to walking.
If you plan to leave the ward for a walk it is really helpful to tell the nurse or ward clerk first. They will check you do not miss anything important, such as a visit from your doctor, a test or a procedure like an x-ray.
You can get help during your hospital stay, including:
Ask ward staff about assistance as soon as you can.
Worried? If something doesn’t feel right, please let us know.
Kōrero mai — Talk to me is a process you can use if you (or your family, whānau or friends) are worried about a change in your health while in hospital.
You and your whānau are an important part of the healthcare team when you are in hospital, we want you to talk to us.
We know that family sometimes see signs that their loved one is becoming more unwell, because you know your whānau best.
Worried about changes in:
Worried you are not being heard?
If you (or your family, whānau or friends) are worried about a change in your health while in hospital, please follow these steps:
The phone number to call the Kōrero mai team, and the departments it is available in, is in each region's information below.
Burwood Hospital, Christchurch Hospital and Christchurch Women’s Hospital: 0800 999 400external link
More information on the Canterbury Kōrero mai process
You can find the local process, including the phone numbers for the Patient At Risk team, on the posters in each hospital room.
Visiting hours might vary between hospitals and wards. Standard visiting hours are around 11am to 1:30pm and 4pm to 8pm daily. This allows you to have visitors but also to rest and recover. Check the exact times for your ward.
If you have visitors who can only come at other times, tell your nurse.
If you do not want to be disturbed by visitors, let your nurse know.
If your visitors have to travel a long way to see you, there may be some available hospital accommodation for whānau. This varies between hospitals and it may be booked out.
You or your whānau can choose a key support person for emotional and practical support. This person may be able to stay with you for longer than normal visiting hours. This is important when the patient is a tamaiti (child).
Your key support person can:
Kaitiaki — anyone who provides essential care needs to a patient as part of their health experience — are valued by hospital staff. Kaitiaki provide support and are important to your wellness and recovery.
Some hospitals have a kaitiaki team offering cultural support for Māori and their whānau in hospital. You may also find there are cultural support services for mental health and addictions from our kaitakawaenga teams.
Visitors are welcome and are an important part of your recovery and wellbeing.
Visitors should:
Visitors should not:
